The Diary

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Chapter 26*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Just Me*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

~The Diary~

The rest of the train ride went smoothly, thank Merlin. We sat through the feast and TJ was sorted into Slytherin, just like he wanted. I felt a little sad though. He had become a good friend since I first landed in this world. After the feast I sort of accidentally started to walk to the Slytherin dorms. Thankfully Harry caught my hand before anyone noticed. There was idle chitchat in the common room. By the way, why does Gryffindor get a better common room? It's not fair. Anyway, after getting lost when trying to find my dorm and bed, the day finally ended with no one knowing the truth.

The weeks pass by and I began to get my bearings. I noticed that a lot of people said hi to me and asked how I was. I suppose that being the Minister's granddaughter made me sort of famous and though Harry was also quite popular, especially amongst the female population of Hogwarts, he was not famous. I think he very much reveled in that.

Oh, you are probably wondering what happened to Harry and I. Well, he was still quite ticked at me, the prat, but he still attempted to teach me some more seeker techniques. I was getting better but no where close to where the other Kali was. At least now I could stay on the broom without falling to my death. I survived the strenuous quidditch practices. Who knew Katie Bell was such a dictator? Harry told me that Oliver Wood was much worse... I can't even fathom how horrible that would have been. Our first match was against Slytherin on November 1^st, which was a Friday but since Halloween was on a Thursday that year there would be no classes on Friday due to the costume ball. Our other selves had thankfully already made plans. Harry and I were to go as Prince Charming and Cinderella.

~Flashback~

Harry paced impatiently waiting for his date. He didn't have to wait long. Kali, who had been watching him for a few moments, had begun to descend down the stairs with her iridescent pearly white ball gown trailing behind her. Of course her costume was not complete without glass slippers, but hers were only charmed to look like glass. She stood at the bottom of the stairs and began to blush while waiting for Harry to say something. When he continued to just stare at her, she gestured to herself with a white-gloved hand. "So, what do you think?"

"You... you look stunning!" he blurted out.

She blushed more and looked at the ground. "You look very handsome as well," Kali told him as she looked up.

They stood like that for a moment before other people began to enter the room. Harry offered his arm, which Kali gladly accepted. "Shall we?"

"We shall."

They walked to the Great Hall and began to 'mingle' with other students. Kali's conversations were filled with 'nice dress,' 'I love your hair" and, the ever popular 'how did you get such a perfect boyfriend, Kali?' Harry's conversations were slightly different. The guys talked about quidditch, girls and more quidditch. After dinner, the band began to play. This year Dumbledore had obtained a string quartet.

"May I please have your attention," Dumbledore said as he stood up, "It is now time to start the dance with the traditional Prefects' Dance." The quartet began to play a happy sounding waltz as the Head Girl, Head Boy, Prefects and their respective dates began to dance.

"Well, I guess that means us," Kali said. She moved herself and Harry in the proper waltzing positions. "Harry, I know that you have... difficulty dancing so just follow my lead, ok?"

"No, follow mine."

"What? But Harry you can't dance."

"Says who?"

"Says everyone who attended the Yule Ball."

He looked at her with his green eyes full of determination. "A lot can change in two years," he said as he whirled her about before leading into a waltz.

After two dances of Kali in awe of Harry's dance prowess, she finally asked, "Harry, where did you learn to dance? I mean you... you're excellent."

"Remember at the end of fifth year when you learned to play the piano?" Kali nodded. "You never asked if Edward left me anything."

"He taught you how to dance," she said excitedly as he spun her.

"Yes he did. Said it was especially good for courting difficult Slytherin girls. Of course, I didn't know, at the time, that he meant actually Slytherins and not Slytherin house girls."

Kali frowned. "Harry are you still hacked off at me? I said I was sorry that I didn't tell you sooner." He kept a stoic face on. "Honestly, it's not like I had a choice in the matter. You are just worried about not completely hating Voldemort."

"And why is that?"

"Because if Voldemort doesn't exist then neither do I."

"I don't see a Voldemort here and you, obviously, still exist."

"But I am not me. The other Kali didn't get the chance to make some of the decisions I made and, Harry, it is our decisions that make us who we are."

"Are you sure?"

"No, I guess we'll have to wait and see if I turn evil or not," she joked, "I've never considered world domination before but now that I think about it, I think it would be a fantastic adventure!"

"That's not funny."

"You are too serious sometimes."

When the song ended Kali felt a tap on her shoulder. "Harry, Kali, its late... best be off to bed. Remember we have our Slytherin match tomorrow," Katie Bell told them.

"Alright Katie. Escort me back to Gryffindor Tower?" Kali asked her date.

"Sure," he mumbled in response.

He brought her to her dorm door and stood there awkwardly. "Well, I had a lovely time. Goodnight Harry." She blushed a little.

"Goodnight," Harry said and left without another word. Disheartened, Kali entered her dorm feeling rather let down, though she didn't know why.

Several hours later, dressed in her Gryffindor red pajamas, Kali walked down the stairs to the common room. It was empty no doubt due to the late hour and the excitement of the first quidditch game the following afternoon. The fire was still lit so she took a seat on the long couch directly in front of it. She sat there staring at the flickering orange flames, lost in her own thoughts for what seemed like hours.

"Couldn't sleep?"

Kali quickly clutched the silky material above her heart and gasped, "Harry you shouldn't sneak up on me like that. You very nearly scared me to death."

"Sorry," he said as he took a seat on the opposite side of the couch from Kali, "So why are you up?"

"Like you said, I couldn't sleep."

"Nervous about your first quidditch match?"

"No... yes, dreadfully. What if I do something illegal?"

"You won't."

"What if I fall?"

"Just remember to lock your ankles."

"What if I don't catch the snitch, lose the game and disappoint everyone?"

"That is a possibility, but you have to push it out of your mind or else you will fail."

They both sat in silence for a minute staring at the fire. "Harry? Does it seem strange to you seeing everyone that we know and not knowing them?"

"What do you mean?"

"Like how everyone we knew in our world is so different here. Draco, for example, is such a wanker."

"Because you are a Gryffindor and my girlfriend."

"My other friend, Kay, is dating him as well. I saw them snogging in a hallway on the way to class. It was disturbing." She shuddered.

"I know what you mean I saw them at the ball." He paused. "Neville is so different. He is nothing like the bumbling Neville I remember back at home." He paused for a moment and said something, very quietly, "And, it's very hard to see Cho and Cedric."

"Harry," she said gently as she placed her hand on his. "It wasn't your fault. You have to stop blaming yourself like this. You aren't a hero. You're only sixteen... no one should be a hero when they're sixteen. You should be concentrating on things like quidditch, friends, school, crushes and yourself, not the fate an entire world or an evil wizard determined to purify our kind. You shouldn't be the Boy-who-lived. You should be just Harry."

"I wish I could be," he sighed.

Kali and Harry talked long into the night. Eventually they fell asleep cuddled together and that is how they were found the next day.

"Kali and Harry, get up! It's nearly eleven thirty! We have a game in thirty minutes!" Katie chastised.

"Oh, sorry Katie," Harry yawned.

"We must've fallen asleep while talking last night," Kali yawned as well.

"Stop wasting time! Get to the pitch!"

"Alright, alright," Harry and Kali groaned as they went to their separate dorms to gather their stuff.

~Gryffindor Girls' Locker Room~

There was a knock at the oak door leading to the pitch. "Kali, Katie wanted me to talk to you... May I come in?"

"Yes," Kali answered as she sullenly sat on one of the benches dressed in all her quidditch gear.

"What's wrong Kali? Katie and the rest of the girls seemed upset," the raven haired boy asked.

"They are just worried about me Harry. Apparently I am not acting like my confident, enthusiastic self... more like the scared to death, how am I going to do this self."

"Don't worry Kali. You've trained extremely hard to become a good seeker. Just remember to lock your ankles around the broom, especially when you reach for the snitch." Kali still looked dreadfully nervous. "Kali, you are a great seeker. Remember your training."

"But what if I forget?"

"Don't think of this as a game. Just pretend that it is only the two of us up there, flying for fun."

Kali smiled weakly. "When did you learn to be so... I don't know... inspirational?"

"Somewhere between saving the world and surviving potions." He smiled.

"Very funny Mister Potter," Kali laughed as she playfully pushed him.

"I try," he shrugged, "Now are you ready to kick some Slytherin arse?"

"I think so," she said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"With feeling."

"YES!" she yelled before surrendering to a fit of giggles.

"That's my girl, now lets not keep everyone waiting," he smiled reassuringly.

"Welcome everyone to the first match of the season, Slytherin versus Gryffindor! This year Slytherin looks better than ever, but will they be able to overcome the Gryffindor powerhouse that has won the quidditch cup for the last five years? Only time will tell, but from the looks of it they may have a chance, as the red and gold have lost many players from last year's team due to graduation," announced an older student Kali could not see from the tunnel. "Here comes the Slytherin team; chasers Nott, Zabini and Avery, beaters Crabbe and Goyle, keeper Weisz and team captain... seeker Malfoy!" The Slytherins cheered wildly and all others booed.

"Ok Gryffindors, mount your brooms because we are about to make our big entrance," Katie shouted happily.

"And here we have the Gryffindor team!" The crowds cheered enthusiastically. "Beaters Finnegan and Thomas, Keeper Weasley, Seeker Riddle-Lupin..." The crowds cheered harder as Kali made her lap. "Chasers Johnson, Potter..." Even more cheers. "And team captain Bell!"

~End Flashback~

The rest of the game was just a blur to me. It was so fast! All the swooping, the dodging and the diving, I couldn't keep anything straight. I didn't catch the snitch, but we still won! Ron was a fantastic Keeper. He didn't let a single quaffle fly through one of our hoops. Katie was marvelous in the air as well as Angelina. Harry had a bit of a rough start but that all disappeared as soon as he stopped looking for the golden snitch. I guess old habits are hard to break. I know many people were upset that I did not catch the snitch, but Draco was more skilled than I was. I was lucky that I presented enough challenge for him to deem me a threat. He was brutal up in the air, nearly knocked me off my broom three times! Thank Merlin I remembered Harry's advice, 'keep your ankles locked and press you body to the broomstick.' His advice probably saved me from a fractured bone.
But I bet you are wondering what event happened next. So, I'll just go on without another mention of my lack of quidditch skills.

~Flashback, Great Hall, Hogwarts~

Dearest Kali,

Meet me in your father's office before lunch.

Mum

"Harry," she whispered as she poked him.

"What is it Kali?" he asked a little too loudly causing the people around them to stare and listen.

"Harry, I'd like to get to Herbology early, walk with me?" she asked with big pleading blue eyes.

"Alright," he sighed after standing up. "Now, care to explain why we are going to class early?"

She took the seat next to him in the empty greenhouse. "Look at this letter I got today."

"So?"

"Why would she want to see me, especially now after all this time? I mean I've gotten letters from her but she's never visited me since term started. This must be quite important."

"I guess you'll find out during lunch."

"I guess," she frowned as their classmates joined them.

~Professor Lupin's Office~

Kali entered her dad's office and noticed her parents talking at the desk.

"Kali, how are you?"

"I'm good Dad," she answered as she crossed the room and kissed him on the cheek. "Allo Mum." She kissed her as well.

"Good afternoon Kali."

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Well Kali I have some exciting news!"

"What is it?"

"Remember at dinner, before term started, when I was talking about the new charm my department and I was working on?"

"The family protection charm?"

"Yes! We just completed it and since you are so interested in charms I thought you'd like to see it in person."

"Incredible!" Kali said. *This could help if it works.*

"Ok, get out your wand. Now, flick your wrist like so. Good, swish to the left, up, right then point to your heart. Alright, now put it all together." Kali repeated the steps that her mother demonstrated. "Excellent Kali!" Her mum's utter excitement was contagious and soon Kali was just as trilled. "Ok, now the incantation is Familia Munimentum."

"Familia Munimentum," she repeated.

"No, accent the 'lia' and the 'mun' and 'tum.'"

"Familia Munimentum," Kali said slowly.

"Ok, now cast it."

"Familia Munimentum!"

"Rictusempra!" Katie cast.

Shocked, Kali, uselessly, shielded herself with her hands and closed her eyes. When nothing happened she peeked to see her mother laughing and her father attempting to cover his chuckling. "What happened?"

"The spell worked!" Katie explained.

"Do it again" Kali asked.

"Petrificus Totalus!" her dad cast.

The spell flew towards Kali and stopped when the air in front of her shimmered bluish gray. "Wicked. How long does it last?"

"Well, it really depends on the power and feeling the caster puts into it. Yours, for example, won't last more than a couple of hours, but I suppose if you had enough energy you can make it last days, months, perhaps even as long as a year or more."

"Fascinating."

"I knew you would enjoy this. I cannot wait for you to graduate," she said with pride, "You'll make a fantastic addition to the Experimental Charms Department."

"I can't wait either Mum."

"Oh dear!" Katie exclaimed as she looked at a clock, "Lunch is almost over. You'd best hurry and eat before your next class."

"Alright bye Mum and Dad!"

"Bye Kali," they called as she ran out the door.

~End Flashback~

This spell was the key and my mum helped discover it. Who could have known that meeting my mother would give me a way to survive a meeting with Voldemort? I knew Harry would be excited too. We had been getting closer since quidditch season started. I think he was trilled that I enjoyed quidditch. To think I was scared of flying at one time! Anyway, I had to tell Harry the great news! Term was over and I was able to get him alone... without some groupie following us. I swear the Creevey brothers had a tracking spell on us! Thankfully, they didn't find us in the courtyard that day.

~Flashback, Hogwarts Courtyard~

Laughter filled the atrium. Somehow a snowball fight had begun between Harry and Kali after she told him the news about the charm. Snowballs were flying as fast as they could throw them, they decided against using magic. Harry was currently ducking behind a stone bench while Kali hid behind a big oak tree.

"Isn't it marvelous Harry! Voldemort can't touch me!"

"Why is that so marvelous?" he asked as he peeked over the bench.

"Because that means I can help the cause. Be an Auror or something." She threw a snowball at Harry's exposed head but missed.

"I thought you wanted to be a Defense professor or go into research." He tossed a snowball but missed.

"I do, but I have plenty of time to do what I want. I have to think of others. Being here made me see that our world could be so much happier without the shadow of my grandfather hovering above us all. I want to help our world and with this spell I could get close to him."

"No," he said bluntly.

"No what?"

"You can't put yourself in danger like that."

"But I want to Harry. I want to help and I am a Slytherin. They won't suspect me. They'll think I was talked into it by my housemates."

"But you can't let them know you're his granddaughter."

"Harry... I meant I was a member of Slytherin house," she laughed as she dodged a snowball. She changed her tone and became serious, "Harry, I have a question for you."

"You're not going to make me fall for that one Kali."

"I'm serious."

"Alright," he sighed as he stood up and faced her as she came out from hiding. "Well, ask away." Kali smiled sweetly at Harry and rocked back and forth on her feet while keeping her hands behind her back. "Well?" he asked a little off guard. Before he knew what hit him, a snowball collided with his face. He could hear Kali's laughter but had to wipe the snow off his glasses before he could see her. "I thought you said you were serious."

She smiled brightly making her rosy cheeks pinker and hid behind the tree again. "Well, I seriously wanted to hit you with a snowball. It was the perfect opportunity." Harry glowered. "Harry I may be dressed in Gryffindor robes but I am still a Slytherin at heart."

He shrugged his shoulders before going back to his hiding spot. "In more ways than one."

"Gasp! Be still my heart!" she shouted dramatically as she clutched at her heart, "Did Harry Potter just make a really bad joke about my heritage?"

"It's not like I can change it."

"Of course, the minute I prepare a speech to make you see that, you go and figure it out on your own."

"What speech?"

"Well you were being so stubborn about all this family business so I wrote one. I was just waiting for the right time to knock you unconscious, tie you down, gag you and make you listen to me."

"Go on, I'm listening now."

"We're in the middle of a snowball fight!"

"Couldn't ask for a better time," he said as he threw one that hit the tree.

"Fine, but I have to warn you that it won't be very good and dodging snowballs will not improve my eloquence."

"Warning noted."

"Harry, I know you're mad at me and you have a right to be."

"I do?"

"Shut up and let me talk. Anyway, I kept something hidden from you, I should have told you when I found out, I should've believed that you would be able to deal with the news responsibly. But I can't go back and change the past... legally. I'm sorry for telling you the way I did, but I am not going to apologize for being Riddle's granddaughter or a Slytherin because I can't help what I was born into." She paused a moment to think. "They are my family but their actions do not dictate my own, because in the end I am not them. I am just me and it's nothing to be ashamed of or sorry for. Life is about choices not genetics." She finished her speech when a realization hit. There had not been a single snowball thrown at her the entire time she was talking. "Harry? Are you still there?" She left her hiding spot and scanned the area finding Harry nowhere in sight. She sniffed the air a little. *Sweat, mud and musk... behind me and to the left.* But it was too late. Harry tackled her to the ground "Eeek!" she squealed as she landed on the ground with Harry on top of her.

"Nice speech," he laughed.

"Nice evasive maneuver."

"Thanks." He paused, "I seemed to remember a time when we were in a situation very similar to this, but this time the positions are reversed."

They laid there, in silence, frozen for what felt like eons before Kali spoke. "Um, Harry?"

"Yes Kali?"

"I'd like to apologize in advance for my rather brazen behavior."

"What behavior?"

"This," she whispered just before pulling him down for a kiss. It was Harry's first snogging session as well as Kali's. She and Draco never went past little pecks. The need for air finally managed to get the two teenagers to stop. "Wow," she panted.

"Uh huh," he agreed as he gasped.

"Want to take this somewhere less wet and cold; perhaps a nearby broom closet or empty classroom?" Kali asked coyly.

He helped her up and looked at her. For a second he was thrilled but then froze. "I... I'm sorry I can't," he stuttered just before running off.

Pure shock raced through her mind as she watched the boy she just kissed run for his life. "Harry? Where are you going? Did I do something wrong? Harry?" But he didn't stop or even acknowledge that she was calling him. She squeezed her eyes closed and tilted her head down, trying not to cry. When she opened them she caught a flash of green and silver amidst a sea of black, her Slytherin house badge. *That's why he ran,* she thought. Confused, Kali walked to the bench by the old and bare oak tree and sat to think. As she sat and thought a sudden feeling began to grow, like a realization, an insight into something she had never understood before. The feeling swelled up inside her until it felt like it was about to burst and it did, in song... "I hear singing and there's no one there." Kali stood and grabbed a low branch and pretended to smell something on it. "I smell blossoms and the trees are bare." She let go of it and began walking and spinning around dreamily. "All day long I seem to walk on air. I wonder why. I wonder why. I keep tossing in my sleep at night and what's more I've lost my appetite. Stars that use to twinkle in the sky are twinkling in his eyes... I wonder why." Her song over, Kali sat on the bench again. She sat there smiling secretly to herself before a thought struck her... she had just been singing. "What was that about?"